The Kikuyu Tribe In Central Kenya

The Kikuyu Tribe In Central Kenya

Kikuyu is the largest tribe in Kenya making about 22% of the country's population. The Kikuyu are believed to have move to Kenya during the Bantu migration . They moved to the central highlands of Kenya and settled around Mount Kenya . The Kikuyu fiercely resisted the British administration after they were forced to give up their fertile land to the colonial rulers. They spearheaded the MauMau rebellion, which finally lead to the country's independence in 1963.

Kikuyu people believe their god "Ngai" live at the peak of Mount Kenya , which is locally known as "Kirinyaga" . Kirinyaga means the shinning mountain or black and white peak spotted like an ostrich. According to the Kikuyu myth, a man called Gikuyu founded Kikuyu tribe. The Kikuyu people's god called Ngai took Gikuyu to the top of mount Kenya (Kirinyaga) and told him to establish his home near the mountain. Ngai showed him a Mugumo (Fig) tree and told him to build his home there. The Place where the Mugumo tree was located was called "Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga" . When Gikuyu went their, he found a woman called Mumbi . Together, they had nine daughters namely Airimu, Agachiku, Achera, Angare, Ambui, Anjiru, Angui, Aitherandu, and Aithaga . The nine daughters consequently founded the nine clans of the Kikuyu people.

The Kikuyu people are predominantly farmers and they grow major cash crops such as tea and coffee alongside other crops such as maize, beans, potatoes and fruits. The Kikuyu people also keep Cattle, sheep and goats but at a small scale. The Kikuyu land borders the Maasai territory and inter tribal raid on cattle were common. Other than agriculture, the Kikuyu people are good business people. Today, many Kikuyu people live in major cities and areas around mount Kenya.